Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.The Kia Telluride is one of America's most popular three-row crossovers, but many owners have faced battery drain problems that can leave them stranded. A new class action lawsuit against the automaker alleges that Kia knew about the parasitic battery drain but concealed the issue since the vehicle was launched. Some consumers have been left with out-of-pocket expenses linked to multiple battery replacements, as outlined in the lawsuit. Kia Telluride Battery Problems2020 Kia TellurideKiaAccording to the lawsuit, which was shared by Car Complaints, affected Telluride owners could see a message on the vehicle's display saying "battery discharging due to external electrical devices." This is accompanied by the battery failing completely in some cases. The lawsuit pertains specifically to first-generation Tellurides between the 2020 and 2026 model years.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe plaintiff in this case is Marc Brenman, a resident of Maryland and California who purchased a certified used 2021 Kia Telluride. In 2025, the vehicle's display indicated that the battery was discharging due to an external device. Despite replacing the battery, the problem continued. Two months after the battery was replaced, Brenman couldn't unlock it remotely with the key fob and eventually was unable to start the car. This happened despite the dealer testing the battery, alternator, starter, and drive belts and finding no problem with any of these components. These tests cost the plaintiff around $230.The lawsuit alleges that Telluride owners received no warning of any battery issues, despite Kia being aware of them. Furthermore, it states that the speedometer, alternator, and power steering can malfunction due to the battery drain issue. It can also cause the vehicle to stall.Related: Subaru Sued Over Battery Drain That Returns Even After ReplacementOther Owners Share Similar Concerns2020 Kia TellurideKiaWe found a few forums on Reddit, which indicate that the battery drain issue isn't unique to Brenman. One owner said that using the power tailgate three or more times or not driving the vehicle for two or more days has led to battery issues on their 2021 model. Other owners who drive short distances have also had problems with their Telluride batteries.AdvertisementAdvertisementWhat's unclear in the plaintiff's case is precisely how they've used their vehicle. Short, infrequent trips or parking in cold weather can both impact battery life. However, a new battery failing after only two months isn't normal by any means. Another owner said that despite their Telluride warning of battery drain due to a device that was plugged in, no device was actually plugged in. Kia Telluride displayLinda Lewis Barnhart/FacebookOn a Kia Telluride Facebook group, one owner had multiple battery failures and attempts by the dealer to find the root cause. One person experienced the same before their personal mechanic traced the fault to an alternator. Other explanations included the Integrated Body Unit (IBU) and HomeLink unit.While there have not been recalls linked to this problem, Kia previously issued a Voluntary Service Campaign for some owners of 2023 Tellurides, whereby the positive battery terminal nut could require tightening. If it loosens over time, this could cause the Charging System Warning light to illuminate. This campaign is not necessarily linked to the battery drain experienced by these owners.Final Thoughts2020 Kia TellurideKiaBased on multiple owner accounts, there do seem to be a fair share of battery drain issues on first-gen Telluride models. What's less obvious is whether there's a single cause. External devices plugged in, alternators, and garage door openers have all been blamed. Most of these are common features, though, so they should not meaningfully contribute to parasitic battery drain.AdvertisementAdvertisementKia is currently dealing with a more serious Telluride recall linked to a fire risk, but if the battery complaints keep piling up, the automaker may be forced to take a more in-depth look at the problem.Related: Kia Telluride Seat Recall: 462,000 SUV Owners Told to Park OutsideThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.